Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1887-02-05
LOOKING BACK TO 1886.
A Favorable Comparison With
the Record Of '85.
BALTIMORES STEADY PROGRESS
Increased Commercial and Industrial Ac-
tivity-The Valuable and Interesting
Address of President John E. Hurst
Our Transports tfon Lines Freight
Rates to Other Points-The
Trade Statistics of the
Past Year.

issue an array of valuable statistics concerning
the trade manufactures and general industries
of Baltimore that cannot fail to be read with
rare interest by all classes of people in all sec
tons of the country.
As the metropolis and leading seaport of the
South Baltimore has occupied an advanced pc
stion for more than century and the industrial
exhibits which we print to-day will show that
it is still far in advance, and that its commerce
is full of promise for the future.
There are some lines of trade in which Bal
timore has refrigerated, but of what city can
not the same be said? 1t is the history of all
great commercial centres that from time to
time they lose in one direction and gain in an
other, and in this respect whatever Baltimore
may have lost has been more than compensated
for by growth in other fields of enterprise.
As illustrative ofthe grand progress made by
Baltimore in the past, and of the brilliant
promises held in store by the future, we
cannot do better than to present the
annual address of Mr.. John E. Hurst,
president of the Merchants and Manufac-
turers' Association. The remarks OF President
Hurst are repete with statements of the high
est value, and they deserve the most hearty
consideration, as they are the result of a care
full study of the subjects treated of. Following
is the address:
Address of President Hurst
GENTLEMEN I'm looking back upon the
business transactions of the year just closed, q
favorable comparison between 1t and the pre-
cedlng year is shown. The closing months OF
1886 were marked by a large increase of in
dustrial and commercial activity. Though
some features of business have yielded small
profits, the returns, upon grand aggregate of
S3S9, 10000 for the year, are gratifying.
The prosperity of cities is never a steady and
constant thing Amid the new developments
of modern life, new Inventions new lines of
distribution and new rivalries all great bust
ness centres are subject to fluctuations OF COM
nerce. In 1900 Baltimore was the gateway
between the markets of the East and the
needs of the West but soon after new path
WAYS were opened In 1Sl2l4 the superiority
of the Baltimore Clipper gave US great COM
mercial advantage, but now the Clipper is SUI
pefseded by better ships. In 1884 we were
the pioneers of railway enterprise but
now great rival railroad lines ramify all
around us. AT one time our sugar refining
and our Southern provision trade were OF vast
magnitude. but active competition and in some
cases INSCRIPTIONS methods Of adversaries
have crippled our enterprises. Such ups and
downs betall all cities, and we must not expect
TO be exempt from them 1t ought to suffice
il we see new INDUSTRIES coming lDIO D6dllUIul
existence 10 take the places OF those that decay
and that the city advances III population aud
wealth upon the solid basis of manufactures
and trade. Those who keep abreast of the
times are as sure of far return for their enter
prise now as at any earlier period of the his
tory of Baltimore
Other cities suffer losses. For example, Chicago
and St. Louis at one time controlled the entire
trade of Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and
Dakota, but now a large part of the produce of
tUOSp states Is Skinned direct from Kansas Civ
and Omaha to home markets, and to the At
lantic ports for expectation. Yet the mer-
chants fthose cities do not get disheartened.
No; with undated confidence in the future of
tier cities, they turn to new fields of activity
and open up new channels of progress.
Therefore, whatever may be said or written
in reference TO the loss of certain enterprises, it
IS ManIfestly not due to Baltimore's location,
as compared with other cities, or in respect to
lis facilities for material labor, or transporta-
ton. Indeed, our diversified interests, our
market as one of original supply, our favora-
bic Surroundings for the manufacture and job
bng OF goods of every description, our ability
10 conduct transactions to a profitable conclu-
sion, at less expense than is possible either in
New York or Philadelphia, place us on equal
footing with all the world and are substantial
grounds upon which we may maintain
steadfast faith in the future of our city; advang
tages which have built up Baltimore to its
present greatness, and which must carry It on
10 grander future.
Tie facts and figures of our trade during the
past year, when compared with those of the
previous year are full of encouragement. Elk
po~atiOns Of cotton have increased from
$4,000 bales to 10000 bales petroleum, from
l0.j0O000 to l2,660000 gallons; canned goods,
from So 600 to $4,000 cases slaves. from l, 75S.
O1J 10 .. 100000; lard, from 10. 100000 to 49,
AIS 800 lbs wheat, from 5,450,000 to 10, 100000
bushels; corn, from 100000 to 100000
bushels; flour, from 1,346 900 TO 100000
bills, ana tobacco, from $4,000 to $1,000 hhds.
HE receipts of the Clearing House have in
creased from 1851, 9l8 900 to $6l6 303 600. The
significance of these facts can hardly be mis-
aEeu. They speak for themselves.
On The other hand, our import trade seems
lar ess favorable. Tin plate Is the only article
on the entire list that shows an increase. This
Tact calls for an immediate and thorough in
yestgaton and discovery of the true causes
l0r this decline. When the cause is disclosed,
emust bend our efforts toward removing it
and securing Il remedy. As a first step in this
work, II is suggested that a committee of this
association should confer with the other trade
assertions, with a view to preparing lists of
such imported articles as are affected by dis
PARTIES of valuation and rating in the various
4ustom-houses, to the prejudice OF Baltimore.
lbs committee should invite merchants in
various lines of business to present schedules
81 articles imported by them, IN which they
are Systematically undersold by their legitl-
mate competitors i'll other cities; ALSO to sub
mt lists of articles formerly consigned by for
fign manufacturers to merchants and agents
III Baltimore, but which are now diverted to
other cities, or at least materially decreased in
cJnsIgnments to this port.
By intelligent handling of this subject by
proper cooperation with local officials and APP
pTaisers, by union of effort among our
selves, and by turning the electric light of in
Nesugation and publicity upon all dark places,
we may fairly hope TO beat down the evils that
DeSeL us now and that menace our future. 1t
Should, however, be remembered that the true
Interests of merchants of this city lie in order
lng foreign goods to be shipped upon hines run
nng direct to this port so that the goods may
he passed through our own custom-house.
Dlnng the past year the Western Maryland
railroad has strengthened its position by ac-
curing control of one road, and securing. over
aHoiher additional connections, which will
materially contribute to our trading facilities.
The effect of the completion of the Phila-
oe.phla division of the b. u o. system must be
determined by actual experience. 1t is proper
10 say, however, that Baltimore, a city of halt
million Of people, should not cramp herself
with old-asliioned or provincial ideas upon
matters OF this magnitude. A broad view of
tne question must be adopted. This company,
winch now embraces in its system all the
great cities of the West, Is not a corporation to
De managed in the exclusive interest of any
one city. 1t must recognize that it has duties
10 al The cities within Its ramlhcations, from
G'e Mississippi river to the Atlantic ocean. But,
Dy this recent extension it assumes larger